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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sparta

Illinois · 4,095 residents · 11.156 sq mi
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The short version

Sparta has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,324. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $95,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,095
−9%since 2000
from 4,486 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
367 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 402 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.9
+7%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Sparta
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,324
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,139 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,969
+108%since 2000
from $16,343 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
32.9%
+8.6 ptssince 2009
from 24.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.4%
−7.6 ptssince 2000
from 16.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 10%
Information12.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services9.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Finance & insurance9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Manufacturing7.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Public administration5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2%
Wholesale trade0.8%
US avg: 6.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$95,400
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$652
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $390 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
63.3%
−8.9 ptssince 2000
from 72.2% in 2000
36.7% rent
Afford Score
1.8
+15%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sparta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.5%(3,610)
Black15.4%(693)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(61)
Asian0.5%(23)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.2%(1,669)
2020
White, non-Hispanic73.4%(3,005)
Black17.1%(700)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(105)
Asian0.4%(15)
Other1.7%(69)
Diversity Score46.4%(1,899)
Diversity Score
46
+25%since 2000
from 37 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.8%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2000
from 82.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.3%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
29.6 min
+94%since 2000
from 15.2 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
79.7%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
12.5%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.6%
−4.3 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.0%
+6.1 ptssince 2011
from 60.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.1%
−30.5 ptssince 2009
from 55.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.3%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Female
46.7%
−9.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.0%
−76.1 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sparta to nearby cities

SPARTA VS
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Income$97,375+86%
Home value$224,900+136%
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SPARTA VS
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Income$98,711+89%
Home value$249,500+162%
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SPARTA VS
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Income$63,535+21%
Home value$141,300+48%
Population40,237+900%
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SPARTA VS
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Income$51,897−1%
Home value$179,700+88%
Population8,593+114%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Sparta, Illinois?

Sparta, Illinois has about 4,095 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sparta, Illinois?

The typical household in Sparta, Illinois earns about $52,324 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sparta, Illinois expensive?

In Sparta, Illinois, the median home is worth about $95,400, and the typical rent is about $652 a month.

How educated are people in Sparta, Illinois?

About 20.8% of adults age 25 and over in Sparta, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sparta, Illinois?

About 8.4% of people in Sparta, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sparta, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Sparta, Illinois has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 758 residents, a change of about -16 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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